Business Services Principal Professional

University of Colorado • Denver, CO

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Business Services Principal Professional will manage all aspects of day-to-day operations of the University of Colorado Denver Center for Psychedelic Research (UCDCPR) and ensure smooth operation, including supervising the center’s part-time staff and student workers. This position will support the clinical research programs, develop processes for efficient operations of the programs, and support research assistants. The position will provide fiscal support to manage the department finances, including operating budgets, auxiliary accounts, gift accounts, and clinical research accounts. The Principal Professional will also participate with center leadership in strategic planning, institutional research, risk management, and community outreach.
This is a four year, limited-term position, with potential for extension dependent on gift funds.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in health/behavioral sciences, business, business administration, finance, accounting, education, social sciences, healthcare administration, public administration, communications, information systems, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• Three (3) years of professional level experience managing, administering, or coordinating department-level office and business operations in a research and higher education environment, which includes managing, tracking, analyzing, and reconciling multiple budgets.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrate an exceptional understanding of access and engagement with a commitment to developing equitable practices.
• Ability to perform duties independently without guidance and direction from other professionals.
• Ability to articulate the University's mission and the importance of the strategic plan.
• Ability to manage ambiguous situations and/or information and translate them into results.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional management and leadership qualities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively plan and establish program goals and objectives.
• Demonstrate progressive supervisory qualities.

Nice To Haves

• Master's or terminal degree in health/behavioral sciences, business, business administration, finance, accounting, education, social sciences, healthcare administration, public administration, communications, information systems, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience as manager, supervisor, work leader, staff authority or project/program administrator.
• Experience developing and implementing work processes.
• Experience with HR/payroll processes and using HCM or similar human resources management systems.
• Experience with CU Data or similar budgeting/data information systems.
• Experience with compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Experience sharing programmatic updates via websites, newsletters, and other public facing documentation.

Responsibilities

• Apply, disseminate, and lead the implementation of policies to guide faculty, staff and student employees in office, HR, Finance, and procurement processes; provide training to the center’s faculty and staff regarding university policies and center procedures.
• Develop and maintain department training materials and guides. Maintain detailed and accurate knowledge and records of the center’s operations and processes.
• Develop processes for managing the center’s office operation, improves organization of the center’s office. Consult and notify constituents of changes that would affect them before the changes happen (if possible)
• Supervise research assistants and office staff. Hire, onboard, train, and direct research assistants and staff. Ensure all research assistants and staff have the training and system access they need for delegated responsibilities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for questions from faculty, research assistants, staff, research participants, and the public. Direct inquiries to the appropriate university office and act as liaison to resolve issues when needed.
• Meet with center leadership, particularly the Associate Director, to provide operational updates, discuss personnel or process concerns, and recommend solutions.
• Develop short- and long-range strategic plans that align operations with projected needs and future growth.
• Respond to in-office emergencies by determining an appropriate course of action and promptly contacting needed support.
• Manage and maintain the center’s website and social media content, including postings, newsletters, and internal communications.
• Liaise with the CLAS Dean’s Office and other campus partners such as Procurement, Advancement, and HR.
• Oversee the center’s IT needs, including troubleshooting issues and coordinate with CLAS IT for support, hardware setup, maintenance, and equipment updates.
• Manage all rooming requests both proprietary and EMS request.
• Coordinate with facilities, security, maintenance, and housekeeping on floor needs.
• Maintain the departmental Access Matrix, manage access procedures and records, and oversee key distribution. Handle floor incidents and work with appropriate university offices to ensure resolution.
• Oversee purchasing and inventory for supplies, furniture, and equipment.
• Plan and coordinate center-sponsored events such as celebrations, orientations, symposia, poster sessions, prospective donor lunches, and new hire meals.
• Analyze and project the center’s annual budget based on program costs and operational needs. Review findings with center leadership, set the annual operating budget, and allocate expenses accordingly.
• Track and manage additional department budgets, including grant and gift budgets.
• Process stipend and insurance support payments for funded research assistants.
• Reconcile monthly budget activity and line items. Prepare annual and end-of-project financial reports. Identify errors or concerns and collaborate with CLAS Finance to make corrections and reallocate funds.
• Advise center leadership on financial compliance requirements. Develop and update center financial guidelines and create resources to support consistent practices.
• Process and track payments using SPOs, Payment Vouchers, Non-Catalog Forms, etc. This includes payments to independent contractors, honorariums, and other goods and services not available through CU Marketplace.
• Provide operational support to the center leadership on clinical research.
• Maintain research assistant records and required documentation.
• Coordinate logistics and operations for orientations, training, and risk management.
• Assign and manage office space for research assistants.
• Coordinate research assistant appointments.
• Serve as a key contact for clinical research inquiries from students, faculty, staff, and the public. Direct questions appropriately and coordinate issue resolution with university offices when needed.
• Foster a workplace culture where people feel respected, supported, and valued, and where varied perspectives strengthen the center’s work and mission.

Benefits

• The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
• Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits
• Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal